Characteristics of Youths in a Sample of Correctional Programs

Abstract

Responses of youths in a representative sample of all known correctional programs in the United States were analyzed, primarily in terms of relationships among program size and of individuals' length of stay and precommitment and postcommitment offense levels. Certain combinations of all but the last of these are shown to be systematically related to postcommit ment offense levels. Findings suggest that the processes by which program variables affect postcommitment offense levels may be mediated by varying degrees and kinds of peer influence.